While you are staying in Japan, either for just a few days or some years, there are countless things we want to recommend you try out. Among those, we have collected up some of the best ones featuring food, authentic cultural experiences, and daytrip ideas for landmarks and major cities. Let’s go over them and you can make your own to-do list!
Contents
Food to Try Out
Sushi
Although more and more sushi places can be found overseas, you should still try the ones in the country of its origin – Japan! There are various types of sushi restaurants to suit your budget. Kaiten zushi restaurants, which offer sushi on a conveyor belt, are usually a reasonable choice with the price ranging from around 120 yen to 500 yen per plate. On the contrary, if you find no rotating belts at the center of the sushi restaurant, the plate can be at “market price (jika)” and you have to ask the price of each dish from the owner. It can be double or triple (or more) the price of kaiten zushi places.
Yakiniku
Yakiniku is one of the simplest but most popular types of cuisine among Japanese people of all ages. There are three different styles when you want to enjoy this type of meat. One is a steakhouse, where you order which part and how much you want to have, and wait for the grilled meat to be served on the table. Another one is an ami-yaki or shichrin-yaki restaurant, where a small grill space is placed at each table, and you grill the raw meat you order by yourself. The price ranges from approx. 500 yen to 2,000 yen per plate, depending on the meat quality and quantity. Finally, there are also high-class teppanyaki-style restaurants, where chefs will cook on a huge iron sheet in front of you. They usually have a fixed course menu to offer you well-selected meat along with fresh seasonal seafood and vegetables.
Ramen
Popular as a Japanese fast food (as it were), ramen is another dish you should try during your stay. With its long history, ramen has been developed in different ways in different areas. The most common way to classify ramen types is by the soup flavor. The main soup flavors are soy sauce based, miso based, and salt based. Meanwhile, there are many ramen types categorized by area: Hokkaido Miso Ramen, Kitakata Shoyu Ramen, Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen, just to name a few. You will most likely find any region-original ramen regardless of where you stay, so try each and find your favorite!
Soba
Along with ramen, Japanese soba is also a must-try fast food–ish noodle that has been around since the 17th century. Made from buckwheat flour and water, the soba noodle is served in various ways. For example, Kake soba is served in hot dashi soup, whereas mori/zaru soba is served cold with a separate bowl of cold or hot soup. You can choose tempura, seaweed, or some vegetables as toppings. There are also “tachigui” soba shops, where you keep standing while having soba when you are in a hurry.
Sake
Japanese Sake, or nihonshu, is a traditional Japanese brewed liquor made from fermenting rice, water, and a kōji mold. With the elegant taste of rice and a fruity or floral aroma and clear or light-colored in appearance, Japanese Sake is carefully produced and served in unique ways. Try it at Japanese restaurants or bars so called “Izakaya” to find out why it is so special. If you read our article “What is Sake? All You Need to Know to Enjoy Japanese Sake”before trying it out, your enjoyment from the experience will double.
Okonomiyaki
Originally from Osaka, okonomiyaki is another kind of Japanese fast food and a unique cuisine that you should try. The savory pancake is basically made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage and topped with aonori (dried seaweed), katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce. Just like the name says “Okonomi (as you like)”, you can add fillings and toppings including cheese, meat or seafood. Each table places an iron griddle in front of you for you to try making okonomiyaki by yourself, but waiters will surely assist or make it for you if you ask.
Authentic Cultural Experiences
Kimono
Although most people in Japan don’t wear kimonos as their daily clothes, you can still find many rental shops in popular tourist sites and cities including Kyoto, Asakusa (Tokyo), and Kamakura (Kanagawa), just to name a few. After putting one on, we recommend walking around the streets, visiting shrines and temples, and riding on a rickshaw if you have a chance. During summer, the rental shops also offer yukatas, which are made of lighter and thinner material. You’ll find lots of people in yukatas gathering at fireworks festivals at night, and you can join them!
Meet Modern Ninja
If you believe the ninja disappeared from Japan a long time ago, you may be surprised that you are wrong. There are indeed many places where you can be entertained with ninja performances, see exhibitions including their houses and weapons to learn about their history, and even learn some of their tricks! We have also introduced them in “6 places where you can meet modern ninja“.
Watch Kabuki
One of the authentic types of entertainment that Japan is proud of is Kabuki. The traditional plays of Kabuki have been passed down through generations, and some famous actors have been certified as “Preservers of Important Intangible Cultural Properties” (or informally “Living National Treasure”) by the Japanese government. Our Kabuki guidance, ” 5 famous plays and 8 theaters in Japan” invites you into the world of traditional yet thriving Kabuki.
Shrines & Temples
Whatever city you’re staying in, you can easily find a shrine or a temple to visit and feel the sacred atmosphere. The most popular ones are Sensoji (Asakusa), Kiyomizu-dera (Kyoto), Izumo Taisha Shrine (Mie), Meiji Jingu (Harajuku), Byodo-in Temple (Kyoto), just to name a few. There are some rules to follow at each shrine and temple, including how to enter the gate, how to wash your hands before praying, and precisely how to pray. Don’t forget to try the omikuji, a paper fortune slip that tells you your future.
Daytrip Daytrips to Landmarks and Major Cities
Tokyo Tower & SKYTREE®
Tokyo Tower has been literally a “landmark” in Japan, welcoming both domestic and foreign tourists, for over 65 years. Not only an expansive view in all directions from viewing decks during the day, but also the seasonal light-ups and events at night give you even more excitement. The newly built Tokyo SKYTREE® offers various combo plans including tea ceremony experiences and kimono rentals in addition to the panoramic view from Japan’s tallest 634–meter–high landmark (not counting Mt. Fuji).
Asakusa
If you’re exploring Tokyo, Asakusa is the best city district to visit for at least one day during your stay here. Retaining a traditional Japanese culture atmosphere, the area is the location of its signature temple Sensoji which was built over 600 years ago. After passing through the enormous symbolic gate “Kaminarimon”, there is a 200–meter-long shopping avenue named “Nakamise” where you can find classic Japanese goods, accessories, and foods at over 80 shops in total.
Shibuya & Harajuku
Full of excitement and the innovation of pop culture which has emerged from younger generations, both Shibuya and Harajuku have long existed as a hub for young creators, fashion icons and influencers who gather to catch up on trends or create them on their own. In recent years, the Shibuya station area has upgraded its image to be sophisticated and luxurious, with more high-end and designer brands stores. Closer to Harajuku, there are also classic sites including the famous Meiji Jingu shrine and huge Yoyogi park to stop at in the middle of a long shopping session.
Anime & Manga Museum
If you want to dive deep into Japanese subculture while staying in Japan, these are the best places to visit: museums featuring anime and the best manga of all time! We have selected ”4 Best Anime and Manga Museums in Japan”, so consider adding one to your go-to list!
Mt. Takao
If you’re a little tired of crowds and the busyness of cities, how about some nature recreation for just one day? Mt. Takao is one of the most popular mountains for local people and tourists alike because of its convenient access and easy hiking trails. Just 40-50 minutes by train from Shinjuku, in central Tokyo, you can relax with nature while enjoying the hike to the top of the mountain at 599m. There is an onsen (hot spring) spot at the nearby station, so you can heal your body as well before going back to the city.
Summary
We have introduced the 15 best things to do while staying in Japan. Experience as many of these suggestions as possible, and become a master of things Japanese!
This media series provides a wide range of information about the Japanese language and Japanese culture for those who are interested in traveling to or living in Japan. Add us to your reading list and stay tuned!